A Boeing 767-300ER operated by Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines from Milan to New York was significantly damaged from severe turbulence and hail on Monday. The incident prompted the pilots to declare an emergency and divert to Rome.
Photos show the aircraft’s nose and paint finish chipped off, as well as damage to the engines. A portion of the jet’s right wing also appeared to be defaced.
Details of the incident
According to FlightAware data, the aircraft, N189DN, was operating DL185 to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP). The widebody plane pushed back from gate B51 at 12:29, one minute earlier than scheduled. After taxiing for around 20 minutes, the aircraft took off from runway 35R at 12:52 and climbed to 4,500 feet. N189DN then turned west and reached an altitude of 17,000 feet before banking south and climbing to 23,000 feet, remaining at that altitude for approximately two minutes.
According to The Aviation Herald, the crew stopped climbing at 23,000 feet and rerouted to Rome Fiumicino International Airport (FCO). At around 13:05, the aircraft was still headed south and descended to 20,000 feet. Once over the Ligurian Sea, the 767 turned southeast toward Rome. As the jet flew back over land, the pilots descended and began their final approach.
N189DN landed safely on runway 16R without further incident, according to The Aviation Herald. Data indicates that the aircraft landed at 13:55 and arrived at the gate at 14:05, just over an hour after departing from Milan. No injuries were reported.
A listener on an ATC frequency reportedly said the pilots claimed that the flight suffered severe turbulence, hail, and a cracked windshield. The Aviation Herald reported that the jet sustained substantial damage, such as punctures in the jet’s right wing, holes in the spinners of both engines, damage to the fan blades, a punctured radome, and dents on the leading edges of the wings.
This article originally appeared on Simple Flying
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